Internet Predictions

More than a dozen leading experts give their opinions on where the Internet is headed and where it will be in the next decade in terms of technology, policy, and applications. They cover topics ranging from the Internet of Things to climate change to the digital storage of the future. A summary of the articles is available in the Web extras section

Modal parameters for a flat plate supported by an oil film.

This paper examines the resonant frequencies, Mode shapes, and damping values for a square plate suppcirted by an oil film. Such a study is motivated by interesl: in oil-supported slip tables used for vibration testing. Rtssonant frequencies and percent critical damping were measured for four cases: plate freely suspended; plate with free end conditions and suppoited by an oil film; plate fixed at several locations; and plate fixed at several locations while supported by an oil film. Analytical estimates of the modal properties and modal propertie!j derived from measured data are compared and discrepancies discussed

Brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), genome: putative underpinnings of polyphagy, insecticide resistance potential and biology of a top worldwide pest

Background Halyomorpha halys (Stål), the brown marmorated stink bug, is a highly invasive insect species due in part to its exceptionally high levels of polyphagy. This species is also a nuisance due to overwintering in human-made structures. It has caused significant agricultural losses in recent years along the Atlantic seaboard of North America and in continental Europe. Genomic resources will assist with determining the molecular basis for this species’ feeding and habitat traits, defining potential targets for pest management strategies. Results Analysis of the 1.15-Gb draft genome assembly has identified a wide variety of genetic elements underpinning the biological characteristics of this formidable pest species, encompassing the roles of sensory functions, digestion, immunity, detoxification and development, all of which likely support H. halys’ capacity for invasiveness. Many of the genes identified herein have potential for biomolecular pesticide applications. Conclusions Availability of the H. halys genome sequence will be useful for the development of environmentally friendly biomolecular pesticides to be applied in concert with more traditional, synthetic chemical-based controls

The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement:208 Evidence-based conclusions about the disorder

Background: Misconceptions about ADHD stigmatize affected people, reduce credibility of providers, and prevent/delay treatment. To challenge misconceptions, we curated findings with strong evidence base. Methods: We reviewed studies with more than 2000 participants or meta-analyses from five or more studies or 2000 or more participants. We excluded meta-analyses that did not assess publication bias, except for meta-analyses of prevalence. For network meta-analyses we required comparison adjusted funnel plots. We excluded treatment studies with waiting-list or treatment as usual controls. From this literature, we extracted evidence-based assertions about the disorder. Results: We generated 208 empirically supported statements about ADHD. The status of the included statements as empirically supported is approved by 80 authors from 27 countries and 6 continents. The contents of the manuscript are endorsed by 366 people who have read this document and agree with its contents. Conclusions: Many findings in ADHD are supported by meta-analysis. These allow for firm statements about the nature, course, outcome causes, and treatments for disorders that are useful for reducing misconceptions and stigma.</p

Selections. English. 1987; Christianity and revolution : Tomás Borge\u27s theology of life

https://digitalcommons.fairfield.edu/petry-books/1228/thumbnail.jp

Preformed antibody and complement rebound after plasma exchange: analysis of immunoglobulin isotypes and effect of splenectomy

Splenectomy (Sx) has been proposed to attenuate post-PE (plasma exchange) rebound of isoagglutinins and xenogenic (XG) antibody (Ab) in both ABO-incompatible allografts and discordant xenografts. This study analyses the qualitative nature and kinetics of serum immunoglobulins as well as complement resynthesis after PE in sham-operated (PE) and splenectomized (PE+Sx) syngeneic LOU/C rats; non-PE sham-operated or splenectomized animals were used as controls. PE was performed in unanesthetized, unheparinized rats. Immunoglobulin isotypes and subclasses (IgM, IgG1, IgG2 alpha, IgG2b) of total circulating Ab were measured pre-PE and up to 21 days post-PE, using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and specific mouse antirat monoclonal Ab. Antiguinea-pig (GP) XG Ab (IgM, IgG2a) serum levels were measured using cellular ELISA with cultured GP endothelial cells as targets. Sx alone significantly reduced XG IgM serum levels (p < 0.0001). Maximal rebound of total and XG IgM was observed on day 3 post-PE, reaching 674% and 187% of the pre-PE levels, respectively; these overshoots were entirely suppressed by Sx (p < 0.005 for total IgM; p < 0.0001 for XG IgM). Total IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG1 as well as XG IgG2a serum levels did not show significant overshoot post-PE. The activity of the complement classical pathway (mean +/- SD), assessed by CH50, was decreased at 51 +/- 19% of basal value 15 minutes after PE, and had returned to baseline level by day 2 post-PE with or without Sx. In conclusion: (1) Six alone significantly reduced XG IgM serum levels; (2) early post-PE Ab rebound was mainly observed for IgM; (3) both total and XG IgM rebound was inhibited by Sx. This suggests that Sx probably removes a significant proportion of IgM producing cells undergoing post-PE stimulation. These data provide a rationale for combining PE with Sx in ABO-incompatible and discordant XG transplantation

Serine administration as a novel prophylactic approach to reduce the severity of acute pancreatitis during diabetes in mice

Aims/hypothesis: Compared with the general population, individuals with diabetes have a higher risk of developing severe acute pancreatitis, a highly debilitating and potentially lethal inflammation of the exocrine pancreas. In this study, we investigated whether 1-deoxysphingolipids, atypical lipids that increase in the circulation following the development of diabetes, exacerbate the severity of pancreatitis in a diabetic setting. Methods: We analysed whether administration of an l-serine-enriched diet to mouse models of diabetes, an established method for decreasing the synthesis of 1-deoxysphingolipids in vivo, reduced the severity of acute pancreatitis. Furthermore, we elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying the lipotoxicity exerted by 1-deoxysphingolipids towards rodent pancreatic acinar cells in vitro. Results: We demonstrated that l-serine supplementation reduced the damage of acinar tissue resulting from the induction of pancreatitis in diabetic mice (average histological damage score: 1.5 in l-serine-treated mice vs 2.7 in the control group). At the cellular level, we showed that l-serine decreased the production of reactive oxygen species, endoplasmic reticulum stress and cellular apoptosis in acinar tissue. Importantly, these parameters, together with DNA damage, were triggered in acinar cells upon treatment with 1-deoxysphingolipids in vitro, suggesting that these lipids are cytotoxic towards pancreatic acinar cells in a cell-autonomous manner. In search of the initiating events of the observed cytotoxicity, we discovered that 1-deoxysphingolipids induced early mitochondrial dysfunction in acinar cells, characterised by ultrastructural alterations, impaired oxygen consumption rate and reduced ATP synthesis. Conclusions/interpretation: Our results suggest that 1-deoxysphingolipids directly damage the functionality of pancreatic acinar cells and highlight that an l-serine-enriched diet may be used as a promising prophylactic intervention to reduce the severity of pancreatitis in the context of diabetes

Serine administration as a novel prophylactic approach to reduce the severity of acute pancreatitis during diabetes in mice

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Compared with the general population, individuals with diabetes have a higher risk of developing severe acute pancreatitis, a highly debilitating and potentially lethal inflammation of the exocrine pancreas. In this study, we investigated whether 1-deoxysphingolipids, atypical lipids that increase in the circulation following the development of diabetes, exacerbate the severity of pancreatitis in a diabetic setting. METHODS: We analysed whether administration of an L-serine-enriched diet to mouse models of diabetes, an established method for decreasing the synthesis of 1-deoxysphingolipids in vivo, reduced the severity of acute pancreatitis. Furthermore, we elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying the lipotoxicity exerted by 1-deoxysphingolipids towards rodent pancreatic acinar cells in vitro. RESULTS: We demonstrated that L-serine supplementation reduced the damage of acinar tissue resulting from the induction of pancreatitis in diabetic mice (average histological damage score: 1.5 in L-serine-treated mice vs 2.7 in the control group). At the cellular level, we showed that L-serine decreased the production of reactive oxygen species, endoplasmic reticulum stress and cellular apoptosis in acinar tissue. Importantly, these parameters, together with DNA damage, were triggered in acinar cells upon treatment with 1-deoxysphingolipids in vitro, suggesting that these lipids are cytotoxic towards pancreatic acinar cells in a cell-autonomous manner. In search of the initiating events of the observed cytotoxicity, we discovered that 1-deoxysphingolipids induced early mitochondrial dysfunction in acinar cells, characterised by ultrastructural alterations, impaired oxygen consumption rate and reduced ATP synthesis. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Our results suggest that 1-deoxysphingolipids directly damage the functionality of pancreatic acinar cells and highlight that an L-serine-enriched diet may be used as a promising prophylactic intervention to reduce the severity of pancreatitis in the context of diabetes

Expanded indications for bariatric surgery: should patients on chronic steroids be offered bariatric procedures?

BACKGROUND: Patients who take chronic corticosteroids are increasingly referred for bariatric surgery. Little is known about their clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Determine whether chronic steroid use is associated with increased morbidity and mortality after stapled bariatric procedures. SETTING: American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database. METHODS: We reviewed all patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and were reported to the ACS-NSQIP from 2011 to 2013. Patients were grouped based on type of surgery and history of chronic steroid use. Primary outcome measures were mortality and serious morbidity in the first 30 days. Regression analyses were used to determine predictors of outcome. RESULTS: Of 23,798 patients who underwent LSG and 38,184 who underwent RYGB, 385 (1.6%) and 430 (1.1%), respectively, were on chronic steroids. Patients on chronic steroids had a 3.4 times increased likelihood of dying within 30 days (95% CI 1.4–8.1, p=0.007), and two-fold increased odds of serious complications (95% CI 1.2–2.3, p=0.008), regardless of surgery type. In multivariate regression, steroid usage remained an independent predictor of mortality and serious complications. CONCLUSIONS: In a large, nationally-representative patient database, steroid use independently predicted mortality and serious postoperative complications after stapled bariatric procedures. Surgeons should be cautious about offering stapled bariatric procedures to patients on chronic steroids